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Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Letter from Jesus

Below is an e-mail I received from missionaries Mike and Becky Kuelker. Mike and Becky have a ministry in Mexico to indigenous people living in the mountains. I'm not sure if Becky wrote this herself or if this was passed along to her. I have mixed feelings about the content. On the one hand I absolutely see the point that we Christians should not be overly concerned about the trend of replacing "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays"-as if we need Office Max to validate our faith. And, of course, we need to practice the spirit of Christmas through kindness and generosity. On the other hand, I am also aware of the danger of the secular progressive movement that seeks to remove all vestiges of religion from public life. This is exactly what the communists did to Catholics in Poland and to Orthodox believers in Russia. Although the beginnings were subtle,the result was nothing short of oppression. Either way, I thought this would provoke some good discussion.


Dear children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of you're predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can & may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.


P.S Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above & get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember,


I LOVE YOU.
Jesus

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aaron,
WOW! There may be some good stuff in there but I would grade this one an F+. The biggest factor is that someone is wording their own opinions and politics through the voice of Jesus. There are few things that infuriate me as thoroughly and as quickly. One might defend it, saying that the intent was good and Jesus would certainly agree , but I'm putting my foot down on this one. DON'T PUT WORDS IN GOD'S MOUTH!
Pete

Anonymous said...

i don't know about giving it an F+, but pete, i agree that one shouldn't put words in God's mouth.

we know God didn't actually say all these things, however, I'm not sure it was meant to be taken literally. it's kind of a reminder to not be a jerk and be more like Christ (during the Christmas season). isn't that part of being a Christian?

Anonymous said...

Toby,
I understand that it was to be taken literally. My point is that it just doesn't matter. Why would the author use this style if they weren't trying to put a stamp of God's approval on what they are saying? I know it sounds like I'm being anal about this but I take it kind of seriously. Besides, if you think I'm getting bent out of shape about it, try and pass this one by an orthodox jew!
Also, I understand that not being a jerk is part of being a christian, but I also believe that standing up for what you believe in is. I don't think it's wrong to make a stand on calling Christmas what it really is. What's next? Happy Holiday with Fireworks instead of Independence Day? ( fun movie by the way )
Like I said, there are some good things in this "letter", but that doesn't justify it as a good thing.
Pete

Anonymous said...

P.S. I meant to type "wasn't" in the first line instead of "was".....little bit of a difference hehe

Rebecca Kuelker said...

Becky Here...

I didn't write it.. but I thought it was very encouraging to Christians...Remember to BE A CHRISTIAN in your actions.. not just in your words.

The world sees enough judgement... that is God's place.. Not ours!!

I really liked gift number 8!!!
If you're reading this Aaron is on of those people!!

Aaron D. Taylor said...

Hey Paul,

I agree with you that truth must be spoken in love, but I would not say that sarcasm is necessarily ruled out when it comes to fitting this criteria. If we look at 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul definitely used a lot of sarcasm.

Becky,

Thanks for the compliment. I hope you and Mike have a wonderful Christmas.